Method of Assembly of a Linear Actuator

ABSTRACT

A method of attaching the adjustment mechanism of a linear actuator with the drive assembly of the linear actuator without the use of threaded fasteners, where a plurality of prongs extend from one of the parts and align with a plurality of slots on the other part, such that, when the drive assembly and adjustment mechanism are aligned and joined, the plurality of prongs lock into the plurality of slots.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications — — Kristin 61-862409 August, 2013 Kristin 2011/0298323 December, 2011 Brieschke 2009/0308187 December, 2009 Schmid 5,070,650 October, 1990 Anderson

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION

1. Field of the Invention

A linear actuator is an actuator that creates motion in a straight line, which is widely used within the area of adjustable furniture, where they are used to adjust the position of adjustable furniture such as the lifting and reclining of motion chairs, the height of a table, or the position of the mattress surface of a bed. The linear actuator is typically comprised of a reversible drive assembly, an adjustment mechanism and a linkage assembly. The linear actuator is attached to a piece of adjustable furniture with a rear mounting bracket and a linkage assembly. The rear mounting bracket ensures that linear actuator does not move, while the linkage assembly facilitates the adjustment of the furniture.

The adjustment mechanism facilitates the adjustment of the adjustable furniture by extending or retracting an outer casing or by the movement of a pusher block along the outer structure of the adjustment mechanism.

The present disclosure reveals a means of attaching the adjustment mechanism of the linear actuator to the drive assembly without the means of threaded fasteners but with a plurality of prongs and slots that when aligned and joined, lock together. Use of the plurality of slots and plurality of prongs eliminates the use of threaded fasteners to secure the drive assembly and adjustment mechanism together, decreasing manufacturing time.

2. Background of the Invention

Prior art for the method of assembling linear actuators, in particular, the method of attaching the drive assembly with the adjustment mechanism involves the use of a plurality of fastening means including but not limited to threaded fasteners. The present disclosure reveals a method of attaching the drive assembly with the adjustment mechanism with the use of a plurality of slots and a plurality of prongs which when aligned and joined, lock the drive assembly to the adjustment mechanism.

Several attempts have been made to develop a method for attaching the drive assembly of a linear actuator to the adjustment mechanism, all of which involve the use of threaded fasteners.

In U.S. Pat. App. 2011/0298323, Brieschke discloses a linear actuator where the motor and linear actuator apparatus are attached by a plurality of thru-holes through which treaded fasteners are passed, whereas the present disclosure reveals that the drive assembly and adjustment mechanism are assembled with the use of a plurality of prongs that extend from the drive motor and a plurality of slots on the adjustment mechanism, and when the drive assembly is aligned and pressed against the adjustment mechanism, the plurality of prongs lock the linear actuator together.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,041, Nielsen discloses a linear actuator where the outer housing is welded together in order to save time, whereas the present disclosure reveals that the drive assembly can be attached to the adjustment mechanism with the use of a plurality of prongs and a plurality of slots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of assembling the drive assembly of a linear actuator with the adjustment mechanism of the linear actuator by means of a plurality of prongs that extend from one of the parts and a plurality of slots located on the other part, where the plurality of prongs and the plurality of slots can be aligned and joined, locking the adjustment mechanism and drive assembly together.

In one preferred embodiment, the plurality of prongs are part of the drive assembly and the plurality of slots are located on the structure of the adjustment mechanism. When the plurality of prongs on the drive assembly are aligned and jointed with the plurality of slots on the adjustment mechanism, the drive assembly and adjustment mechanism lock together to form the structure of the linear assembly.

In a second preferred embodiment, the plurality of prongs are part of the adjustment mechanism and the plurality of slots are located on the structure of the drive assembly. When the plurality of prongs on the adjustment mechanism are aligned and joined with the plurality of slots on the drive assembly, the drive assembly and adjustment mechanism lock together to form the structure of the linear assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an objective view of the disassembled drive assembly and adjustment mechanism with the drive assembly displaying the first preferred embodiment with a plurality of prongs and the adjustment mechanism displaying a plurality of slots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A linear actuator 1, with the adjustment mechanism 2 and drive assembly 3. In the first preferred embodiment, as part of the structure of the adjustment mechanism 2, there are a plurality of slots 4 located on the end of the adjustment mechanism 2 that joins to the drive assembly 3 and as part of the base of the drive assembly 3, there are a plurality of prongs 5 that extend from the drive assembly 3, in the area of the drive assembly 3 where the drive assembly 3 attaches to the adjustment mechanism 2. The adjustment mechanism 2 and the drive assembly are attached to each other when the plurality of slots 4 of the adjustment mechanism 2 are aligned with the plurality of prongs 5 of the drive assembly 3, and the adjustment mechanism 2 and drive assembly 3 are joined. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method of attaching the adjustment mechanism of a linear actuator with the drive assembly of the linear actuator without the use of threaded fasteners comprising a plurality of slots on the adjustment mechanism located at the end of the adjustment mechanism that is to be attached to the drive assembly and a plurality of prongs that are part of the base of the drive assembly, where said prongs are located on the drive assembly that is to be attached to the adjustment mechanism, such that, when the plurality of slots of the adjustment mechanism are aligned with the plurality of prongs of the drive assembly and the adjustment mechanism and drive assembly are pushed together, the plurality of prongs lock into the plurality of slots.
 2. A method of attaching the adjustment mechanism of a linear actuator with the drive assembly of the linear actuator without the use of threaded fasteners comprising a plurality of prongs on the adjustment mechanism located at the end of the adjustment mechanism that is to be attached to the drive assembly and a plurality of slots on the drive assembly, where said slots are located on that portion of the drive assembly that is to be attached to the adjustment mechanism, such that, when the plurality of prongs of the adjustment mechanism are aligned with the plurality of slots of the drive assembly and the adjustment mechanism and drive assembly are pushed together, the plurality of prongs lock into the plurality of slots 